Iraq invited United Nations chief weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei on Saturday to visit Baghdad as soon as possible to discuss pending disarmament issues.
The Iraqi foreign ministry said in a statement that the invitation was made in a letter to Blix and ElBaradei from Amer al-Saadi, an aide to President Saddam Hussein.
"The letter included their invitation to discuss ways to speed up joint cooperation between Iraq and the parties they represent on all aspects, particularly on issues that were considered pending by Blix and Elbaradei," the statement said.
Blix and Elbaradei will consult the Security Council on Monday about the invitation.
Meanwhile, anti-war protestors gathered on Saturday at the Washington Monument for a convergence on the White House as supporters of President Bush's Iraq policy planned a counter demonstration nearby.
Thousands of people gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, waiving American flags and shouting patriotic slogans and similar rallies are planned in other cities, including San Francisco, California, and Seattle, Washington.
Elsewhere in the world, 10,000 people gathered in Tokyo on Saturday to protest U.S. plans and Japan's support for military action, organizers said.
More than 4,000 people marched in southern New Zealand's main cities of Christchurch and Dunedin chanting "Give peace a chance." Thousands of others held rallies in Yemen, Cyprus, Australia, and Russia.
Iraqis flooded the streets of Baghdad and other cities to to show their support for Saddam Hussein's regime. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
